EPA approves new pesticide with PFAS, sparking health concerns

November 28, 2025

Read the full article by Liz McLaughlin (WRAL)

"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved another pesticide that contains PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in the environment.

The decision expands where the product can be used, including on a wide range of food crops. It has intensified concerns among toxicologists and environmental advocates who say federal regulators are overlooking long-term risks.

PFAS exposure has been linked to a variety of health problems, including certain cancers, hormonal disruption, immune effects and developmental delays. Studies have typically focused on contamination from manufacturing, firefighting foams or consumer products. The application of PFAS-containing pesticides to cropland introduces a newer exposure route that researchers say has not been adequately examined."